According to the breeding program, a female Cuban crocodile named Dwójka living in the Warsaw Zoo was transferred to the Tallinn Zoo. In the natural environment, it is a species that is critically endangered with extinction, hence the very important role of gardens in saving it.
“The Cuban crocodile Dwójka left for Tallinn on Thursday. She became famous for predicting the weather, thanks to which she earned the nickname “Ms. Meteorologist” – said keepers from the capital's zoo.
They explained that when Two thought it was going to rain, she didn't go out to the outside paddock.
“There wasn't a single cloud in the sky yet, and our confident crocodile was already waiting for her forecast to come true. When it was supposed to be sunny and warm, she was ready to go outside. We relied on Two's forecasts many times and she never let us down. “Two, as befits a crocodile, loves lying in the warmth. She doesn't like rain. She is a characterful girl who commands respect and has a lot of grace,” they emphasized.
Exchanging animals between zoos is quite a common practice. – In accordance with the breeding program for this species, the female was transferred to the garden in Tallinn – said Anna Karczewska from the Warsaw Zoo.
Cuban crocodiles are endangered
Cuban crocodiles move very efficiently on land. Strong hind limbs enable them to run and, even to a limited extent, jump. On land they reach speeds of up to 17 km per hour. They are considered the most aggressive of crocodiles. In the natural environment, it is a species that is critically endangered with extinction, hence the very important role of zoos in saving it.
They inhabit freshwater swamps, lakes and ponds. Their wide, flat teeth are designed to crush turtle shells. In addition, fish and small mammals constitute an important part of their diet.
Currently, this species is found only in the Zapata Marshes (northwestern Cuba) and in the marshes of Isla de la Juventud (an island in the Caribbean Sea).
The Cuban crocodile is a critically endangered species. One of the reasons is illegal hunting, which has increased significantly since the 1990s. The meat of these reptiles is sold to private restaurants serving tourists or eaten by local residents.
A multi-clawed peacock was born in the Warsaw ZooDemid Aleksandrovich and Tomasz Doroń
Main photo source: Warsaw zoo